Tyson Fury’s dad John Fury was left with a bloody face after he headbutted a member of Oleksandr Usyk’s entourage during an ugly clash at a media event.
The build-up to the undisputed world heavyweight clash turned ugly in Riyadh on Monday as rival camps had to be separated by security at a hotel, where media activity was being held.
During the incident, ahead of the fight on 18 May, John Fury headbutted a member of his son’s rival’s entourage.
Following the incident, John was left with a large cut on his forehead.
Blood continued to flow from the wound despite the 59-year-old’s attempts to wipe it away and he had to be restrained repeatedly while Usyk’s camp chanted “Usyk, Usyk, Usyk”.
When asked what sparked incident, John replied: “[Them] coming into my space with ‘Usyk, Usyk’.
“Nobody was bothering them, I was only chanting my own son’s name and they stepped closer and closer.
“At the end of the day, I’m a warrior, that’s what we do. We’re fighting people. You come in the space, you’re going to get what’s coming.”
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When Tyson saw his dad for the first time since the fracas, having been elsewhere giving a separate interview, he said: “How did you cut yourself like that?”
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The incident continues to ratchet up anticipation and tension as the rivals meet for the first time at the Kingdom Arena in Saudi Arabia.
Saturday’s clash will crown the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 2000 – and the first of the four-belt era.
WBC champion Lewis won the WBA and IBF titles from Evander Holyfield in 1999.
Fury said: “I can’t wait.”
He added: “It’s unbelievable to be out here. Everyone is on a high. Big-time boxing in Saudi Arabia is fantastic.
“I’m going to enjoy this week because it’s been many years coming. So we’ll enjoy it. I feel on top of the world and I can’t wait.”
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Usyk, the former undisputed cruiserweight king, won his WBA, IBF and WBO titles by beating Anthony Joshua at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2021 and successfully defended them against the same opponent a year later.
Multiple attempts were made to match him against Fury, which fell through until an agreement was struck in September.
But the original date of 17 February had to be scrapped after Fury suffered a cut in training.
Before the pair climb into the ring on Saturday, a week of promotional activity awaits with Usyk set to be targeted by more mind games.
Usyk said: “I’m doing good, I’m happy and I’m hungry. I don’t care how Tyson will be this week. I’m ready.
“For me 18 May is important, what Tyson does in the press conferences doesn’t matter.
“I don’t think about Tyson Fury now. I’ve seen him in a lot of fights. I don’t know how he will box against me, we will see when we get into the ring.”
A woman has suffered life-changing injuries after being stabbed by a member of the public at the accident and emergency department where she was working.
The victim – believed to be a nurse in her 50s – was attacked at Royal Oldham Hospital in Greater Manchester, where she is now being treated.
It is understood she was injured with a bladed article or a sharp instrument – and not by a knife.
Officers were called at 11.30pm on Saturday.
A 37-year-old man is in custody after being “swiftly arrested at the scene” on suspicion of attempted murder, Greater Manchester Police said.
Detectives are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident and say there is no threat to the wider public.
Jim McMahon, the Labour MP for the area, described it as a “senseless attack”.
He posted on Facebook: “We are all shocked at the senseless attack on a nurse in the A&E department of the Royal Oldham Hospital.
“Our thoughts are with the nurse, family and friends as we wish a full recovery.”
Detective Sergeant Craig Roters said it was a “serious incident which has left a woman in a critical condition”.
The victim’s family and colleagues will be supported, he added.
The local community can expect to see an “increase in police presence” while enquiries are carried out, Mr Roters said.
“We know that news of this nature will come as a shock, and if you have any concerns or anything you would like to share, please speak to [officers].”
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir Starmer to sack Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq over allegations she lived in properties linked to allies of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the deposed prime minister of Bangladesh.
It comes after the current Bangladeshi leader, Muhammad Yunus, said London properties used by Ms Siddiq should be investigated.
He told the Sunday Timesthe properties should be handed back to his government if they were acquired through “plain robbery”.
Tory leader Ms Badenoch said: “It’s time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq.
“He appointed his personal friend as anti-corruption minister and she is accused herself of corruption.
“Now the government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina.”
Ms Siddiq insists she has “done nothing wrong”.
Her aunt was ousted from office in August following an uprising against her 20-year leadership and fled to India.
On the same day, the prime minister said: “Tulip Siddiq has acted entirely properly by referring herself to the independent adviser, as she’s now done, and that’s why we brought into being the new code.
“It’s to allow ministers to ask the adviser to establish the facts, and yes, I’ve got confidence in her, and that’s the process that will now be happening.”
Police in Aberdeen have widened the search area for two sisters who disappeared four days ago in the city.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti, both 32, were last seen on CCTV on Market Street after leaving their home on Tuesday at around 2.12am.
The sisters – who are part of a set of triplets and originally from Hungary – crossed the Victoria Bridge to the Torry area and turned right on to a footpath next to the River Dee.
They headed in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club but officers said there is no evidence to suggest the missing women left the immediate area.
Specialist search teams, police dogs and a marine unit have been trying to trace the pair.
Further searches are being carried out towards the Port of Aberdeen’s South Harbour and Duthie Park.
Police Scotland said it is liaising with authorities in Hungary to support the relatives of the two sisters.
Chief Inspector Darren Bruce said: “Eliza and Henrietta’s family are understandably extremely worried about them and we are working tirelessly to find them.
“We are seriously concerned about them and have significant resources dedicated to the inquiry.”
The sisters, from Aberdeen city centre, are described as slim with long brown hair.
Officers have requested businesses in and around the South Esplanade and Menzies Road area to review their CCTV footage for the early morning of Tuesday 7 January.
Police added they are keen to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from that time.